Motion Picture Reviews (1941)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS Five erased, and he is accepted as one of them. The men's parts are well drawn, and the individual performances are admirable. Less satisfactory is the role played by Ruth Hussey, that of Lorna Gary, who is a better subject for a psycho-analyst than a moving picture. Posing as a pillar of bravery, she fails utterly when tragedy touches her own life, turns against her husband and finds solace in the attentions of a handsome young flyer, jeopardizing two careers in the process. Possibly women should be left out of aviation films. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes No ❖ FLIGHT FROM DESTINY O O Thomas Mitchell, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Jeffrey Lynn, James Stephenson, Mona Maris, Jonathon Hale, David Bruce, Thurston Hall. Screen play by Barry Trivers from a story by Anthony Berkeley. Direction by Vincent Sherman. Music by Heinz Roemheld. Warner Bros. This is grim entertainment but interesting and different. It is the story of a college professor of philosophy to whom a doctor promises only six months of life. He presents the hypothetical question to his associates, how each would use such time to best advantage. In the discussion he receives the suggestion that he benefit humanity by murdering a person who is a social menace. Oddly the opportunity presents itself and the professor commits the murder to free a dear friend and rid the world of one who has contributed nothing but evil during her life. It is a maturely interesting problem with a constructive ending, for the professor discovers that no human being has the right, whatever the circumstances, to make so grave a decision on life and death. The cast is admirable and Thomas Mitchell again demonstrates his great ability and gives an impressive performance. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Grim and mature No ❖ FOUR MOTHERS O O Claude Rains, Jeffrey Lynn, Eddie Albert, May Robson, Frank McHugh, Dick Foran, Vera Lewis, Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane, Gale Page. Suggested by the book, "Sister Act," by Fannie Hurst. Screen play by Stephen Morehouse Avery. Direction by William Keighley. Warner Bros.First National. This latest in the series of pictures about the Lemp family shows the four daughters married and with homes and children of their own but still united by love for one another and for Father Kemp and Aunt Etta. Their family life, complicated by marital adjustments, financial troubles, and their father’s loss of his job, is made inspiring by their mutual loyalty and understanding. The fine cast gives an unusually enjoyable performance, and this picture allays the fear created by one of its predecessors that the series was deteriorating. Claude Rains as the father is again the lovable musician who well merits the devotion of his children. The story and characterizations are believable and human enough to interest almost everyone. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Possibly little in terest but otherwise suitable ♦ GO WEST O O Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, John Carroll, Diana Lewis, Walter Woolf King, Robert Barrat, June MacCloy, George Lessey. Screen play by Irving Brecher. Direction by Edward Buzzell. Musical direction by Georgie Stool. M.-G.-M. A wild race in a train, boisterous clowning, and some vulgarity are combined with excellent music to make a concoction typically Marx Bros, and, for anyone who likes the Marx Brothers, highly entertaining. The picture is a take off on Westerns and frontier melodrama. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Matter of taste Entertaining be cause of comedy action ❖ HER FIRST ROMANCE O O Edith Fellows, Wilbur Evans, Marion Kerby, Judith Linden, Jacqueline Wells, Alan Ladd. Adapted from the novel by Gene Stratton Porter. Musical director, Gregory Stone. Monogram. Patterned along the familiar lines of Mrs. Porter’s popular novels this is a pleasantly sentimental comedy romance which gives Edith Fellows her first grownup role. As a young girl dominated by a selfish older stepsister who wishes to keep her in the background, she has a Cinderella-like part and plays it delightfully. The college scenes are particularly amusing, and the young people play them with zest and naturalness. The drab little student grind emerges into a beautiful butterfly, sister gets her just desserts, and there is promise of a fascinating future for a nice girl with a lovely voice. Music is an integral part of the plot. Wilbur Evans has an excellent voice and several duets by Mr. Evans and Edith Fellows are beautifully rendered. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Entertaining If interested ❖ HUDSON'S BAY O O Paul Muni, Gene Tierney, Laird Cregar, John Sutton, Virginia Field, Vincent Price, Nigel Bruce, Montagu Love, Gerald Hall, Chief Thundercloud. Original screen play by Lamar Trotti. Based on the life of Radisson. Direction by Irving Pichel. Twentieth Century-Fox. Added to the roster of recent imposing films on historical subjects is this picture of